Page 134 of Married to a Frozen Duke
"I do care about bloodlines and tradition."
"Yes, but you also care about other things. Art. Horses. Our sister."
"Your sister is very difficult not to care about. Believe me, I tried."
"He tried very hard," Ophelia agreed. "It was quite amusing to watch him fail."
"I didn't fail. I made a strategic retreat from my emotional fortifications."
"You surrendered completely," she corrected.
"I negotiated a peaceful transfer of power."
"You capitulated after getting drunk on brandy."
"The brandy was excellent. It deserved respect."
"Everything about that night was excellent," she said with a smile that made him forget the brothers were watching.
"Oh no, they're doing it again," Edward complained. "They are looking at each other like we're not here."
"It's disturbing," Charles agreed. "Our sister actually likes him. Actually genuinely likes the Duke of Montclaire."
"I more than like him," Ophelia said, not looking away from Alexander's eyes.
"And that's our cue to leave," Edward announced. "Before this becomes even more uncomfortable."
"It's not even nine o'clock," Ophelia protested.
"It's late enough. We should go before Charles breaks something or you two start actually kissing in front of us."
"I haven't broken anything!" Charles protested.
"The night is young," Alexander observed.
They made their way to the entrance hall, where the brothers' coats were retrieved. There was an awkward moment where no one seemed sure how to say goodbye.
Finally, Charles extended his hand to Alexander. "Thank you for dinner. And for letting me see the Blake. And for... making our sister happy."
Alexander shook his hand, noting the firm grip. "She makes herself happy. I just try not to interfere."
"Still. We were worried. After last time, we thought..." Charles paused. "We thought we'd ruined things for her. Made everything worse."
"You did make everything worse," Alexander said bluntly, then added, "but sometimes things need to get worse before they can get better."
"That's unexpectedly philosophical."
"I have hidden depths. Ask Ophelia."
"Very hidden," she agreed. "It takes considerable excavation to find them."
"But worth the effort?" Edward asked, genuinely curious.
"Most definitely worth the effort."
The brothers left with far less drama than their previous departure, and Alexander and Ophelia stood in the entrance hall watching their carriage disappear into the night.
"That wasn't terrible," Alexander said finally.
